55 yr old female/new to gym

conniehv40

I just joined a gym after, literally, doing nothing for years. I have to go very slowly--weight gain and injuries.... The gym has a system of weights that are the circuit machines. Should I ask for a training session? or just start low weights, low reps and see? I have an ankle that won't allow me to do much--seeing a reconstructive surgeon in december. maybe a stationery bike?

Sued0nim

Yes get a trainer, but one on recommendation rather than just some guy who works in that gym

canadianlbs

trainer yes. i started at 49 and flew mostly-solo for about a year, which gave me enough time to figure out what my questions and special needs were- the initial 'intro' courses i took right at the start were essentially useless to me as most of the info didn't mean anything. i wasted the money really, since i didn't even know enough to know how to facilitate the communication or express what i was asking them for from my side.

my delay also gave me enough time to observe the free-floating trainers who work out of my rec centre. based off watching their interaction and attitude/personal style, i developed a very reliable idea of what kind of person i would be looking for my own self, and a few clues on how to 'read' the people i did watch or approach. i filled in my own gaps with various other resources - mark rippetoe's book starting strength as my basis and then tons of youtubing and reading and info-sponging.

in the meantime low weights and low reps won't hurt, probably. but you don't have to do it my way. i'm extraordinarily stubborn and kind of known for being 'hard to work with' in certain ways.